What are minor hockey leagues in Nova Scotia doing to prevent hazing?

Several minor hockey leagues in Nova Scotia are reiterating their commitment to protecting players after four youths were charged in connection with hazing incidents. But many aren’t saying publicly how they plan to do that.

Four players on a Truro-area team are facing sexual assault charges as part of an ongoing investigation by RCMP. The lead investigator has said more victims are expected to come forward.

Many minor leagues across the province proactively issued public statements after the charges were announced to affirm their commitment to preventing harassment and bullying.

CBC News reached out to all 33 Nova Scotia minor hockey associations to talk about any initiatives they have in place to prevent hazing and educate players on the subject.

Four representatives responded and just two agreed to do interviews. One official who didn’t want to be interviewed said their league doesn’t have any training on hazing for players specifically, but that will likely change after last week’s charges.

Officials with Hockey Nova Scotia and Sport Nova Scotia also declined interview requests.

Hockey Nova Scotia, the governing organization for minor hockey in the province, has mandatory training for parents on how players and parents need to behave on and off the ice, but there is no training for the young players.

A spokesperson for the organization wouldn’t say if the board of directors was considering changes, but said in an email Hockey Canada and Hockey Nova Scotia will be reviewing all training programs later this year. 

Hockey Nova Scotia’s code of conduct included a maltreatment, bullying and harassment protection and prevention policy. 

“Participants in Hockey Nova Scotia’s programming should have the reasonable expectation that Hockey Nova Scotia will provide an environment that is safe, accessible, inclusive and is free from all forms of maltreatment, bullying and harassment,” the policy states. 

James Edwards, the president of the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association, was one of the representatives who agreed to an interview with CBC News. He said having rules is one thing, but making sure players understand them takes work.

“Education is key,” he said. “It's one thing for that to be said, ‘It's covered in the code of conduct,’ but people have to know about it as well.”

Edwards said Hockey Nova Scotia sent its code of conduct to all minor hockey associations after the hazing investigation was made public by police on Feb. 5.

Every team in the Glace Bay league was told they had to confirm they received and read it, he said.